Visual J# (pronounced "jay-sharp") is an implementation of the J# programming language that was a transitional language for programmers of Java and Visual J++ languages, so they could use their existing knowledge and applications on .NET Framework.[1] It was introduced in 2002 and discontinued in 2007, with support for the final release of the product continuing until October, 2017.

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Java and J# use the same general syntax but there are non-Java conventions in J# to support the .NET environment. For example, to use .NET "properties" with a standard JavaBean class, it is necessary to prefix getter and setter methods with the Javadoc-like annotation:

/** @beanproperty */

…and change the corresponding private variable name to be different from the suffix of the getXxx/setXxx names[citation needed].

JavaWorld said: "J#'s interface to the .NET framework is solid, but not as seamless as C#. In particular, J# code cannot define new .NET attributes, events, value types, or delegates. J# can make use of these language constructs if they are defined in an assembly written in another language, but its inability to define new ones limits J#'s reach and interoperability compared to other .NET languages."[4]

That Microsoft would produce an updated version of Visual J# 2.0, including a 64-bitredistributable version, called J# 2.0 Second Edition to meet customer demand for 64-bit runtime support. Microsoft released Visual J# 2.0 Second Edition in May 2007.[9]

Retirement of the J# language and Java Language Conversion Assistant from future versions of Visual Studio. The last version, shipping with Visual Studio 2005, was supported until 2015.

A link to download Visual J# 2005 Express Edition is no longer available from Microsoft's website; however, the link which was previously available was still functional as of 2017.[11]

Visual J# is out of mainstream support but "Visual J# 2.0 Redistributable Second Edition released in 2007, with support continuing through to 2017 (5 years mainstream and 5 years extended support) on EN-US locales."[12] Support for the Visual J# Version 2.0 Redistributable Package Second Edition will be discontinued from October 10, 2017.[13]